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The Role of Food Packaging Design in Consumer Recycling Behavior—A Literature Review

Author

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  • Babak Nemat

    (The Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of Borås, SE-501 90 Borås, Sweden)

  • Mohammad Razzaghi

    (Faculty of Applied Arts, University of Art, Tehran 1136813518, Iran)

  • Kim Bolton

    (The Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of Borås, SE-501 90 Borås, Sweden)

  • Kamran Rousta

    (The Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of Borås, SE-501 90 Borås, Sweden)

Abstract

Household waste sorting at the source is an essential part of the waste management system in many countries. Correct sorting of this waste, including food packaging waste, is cost-effective, it facilitates the recycling process and enhances the quality of the recycled product. Although there is a growing body of research that studies the effect of different attributes of food packaging on household recycling behavior, the effect of these attributes on the sorting of the food packaging waste is not well known. This contribution reviews work that studies the relationship between attributes of food packaging and consumer sorting behavior. The review highlights the potential of the visual attributes and the quality of packaging as a communication channel for encouraging consumers to sort the food packaging waste. The efficiency of the waste management system and the quality of recycled products can hence be affected by the proper design of food packaging.

Suggested Citation

  • Babak Nemat & Mohammad Razzaghi & Kim Bolton & Kamran Rousta, 2019. "The Role of Food Packaging Design in Consumer Recycling Behavior—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:16:p:4350-:d:256863
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Igor Popovic & Bart A. G. Bossink & Peter C. van der Sijde & Christine Y. M. Fong, 2020. "Why Are Consumers Willing to Pay More for Liquid Foods in Environmentally Friendly Packaging? A Dual Attitudes Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Shahida Anusha Siddiqui & Adriano Profeta & Thomas Decker & Sergiy Smetana & Klaus Menrad, 2023. "Influencing Factors for Consumers’ Intention to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Different Groups of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Cristian Silviu Banacu & Mihail Busu & Raluca Ignat & Carmen Lenuta Trica, 2019. "Entrepreneurial Innovation Impact on Recycling Municipal Waste. A Panel Data Analysis at the EU Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-13, September.
    6. Patrycja Wojciechowska & Karolina Wiszumirska, 2022. "Sustainable Communication in the B2C Market—The Impact of Packaging," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Farzaneh Amir Kavei & Laura Savoldi, 2021. "Recycling Behaviour of Italian Citizens in Connection with the Clarity of On-Pack Labels. A Bottom-Up Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-24, September.

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